Gaseous electric discharge lamp device



Oct. 5, 1937. 0, rrz ET AL 2,094,648

GASEOUS ELECTRIC DISCHARGE LAMP DEVICE Filed Feb. 2, 1937 4 JNVENTORS Otto Fricze Alifred Ruirtenuuer W M AT ORNEY Patented Oct. 5, 1937 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GASEOUS ELECTRIC DISCHARGE LAMP DEVICE Application Febru ry 2, 1937, Serial No. 123,666

. In Germany February 8, 1936 The present invention relates to gaseous electric discharge lamp devices generally and more particularly the invention relates to such devices having a gaseous atmosphere therein, such as a starting gas and mercury vapor, and having a luminescent material associated therewith to complement and supplement the visible light emitted by the gaseous electric discharge in said device.

The object of the present invention is to provide a gaseous electric discharge lamp device which emits a golden-yellow light and which is useful for decorative lighting and for advertising. Another object of the invention is to provide a highly efficient gaseous electric discharge lamp device which emits a rich, striking and attractive golden-yellow light. Still further objects and advantages attaching to the device and to its use and operation will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the'following particular description.

In accordance with these objects a gaseous electric discharge lamp device embodying the invention comprises a vitreous container having electrodes sealed therein, a gaseous atmosphere therein comprising mercury vapor, a coating of fluorescent material on the inner surface of the container and a yellow screen or filter integral with said container. The fluorescent coating is interposed between the gaseous electric discharge and the screen and consists of a fluorescent material which emits a redorange light when excited by radiation from said discharge. We prefer cadmium silicate as the fluorescent material and a yellow glass container as the screen. Durin the operation of the device the visible light rays,

other than the yellow rays, emitted by the excited mercury vapor and which pass through the coating of fluorescent material do not pass through the yellow glass screen. The light emitted by the device has a rich striking, attractive Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the container shown in Fig. 1, and

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views through the containers of other devices similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and embodying the invention.

Like numbers denote like parts in all the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing the gaseous electric discharge lamp device comprises an elongated, tubular, sealed container I consisting of yellow glass and terminating at each end thereof in a stem 2 into the press 3 of which the current lead 4 of the electrode 5 is used. Said electrodes 5 are cylindrical sheet metal electrodes and are supported in said container I by said current lead 4 and another support wire attached thereto and fused into the pinch part 3 of the stem 2. Said container I has a gaseous filling therein consisting of a rare, starting gas or a mixture of starting gases, such as a mixture of neon and argon, or a mixture of neon, helium and argon, and contains a body 9 of luminosity producing vaporizable material, such as mercury. The quantity of mercury introduced into the container I is preferably limited to an amount which is wholly vaporized when the lamp device is at operating equilibrium, or, when desired, the quantity of mercury is such that it is only partially vaporized during the operation of the lamp. The lamp starts as a gas lamp and operates as a vapor lamp. The inner surface of said container I has a coating 6 of fluorescent material thereon, such as cadmium silicate, which emits a redorange colored light when excited by radiation from the gaseous electric discharge during the operation of the device. Preferably the particles of fluorescent material are applied to the inner surface of the container I by using a binding ma.- terial, such as phosphoric acid. As pointed out above the yellow glass container I absorbs th visible light rays, other than the yellow rays, emitted by the discharge between said electrodes 5 and the light emitted by the device is a rich, striking and attractive golden-yellow light.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3 the container 1 consists of a clear glass having a yellow screen 8, such as a yellow glass coating, a yellow lacquer coating, or a yellow enamel coating, on the outer surface thereof. The inner surface of the container I has a coating 6 of the same fluorescent material disclosed above. In other respects the device illustrated in Fig. 3 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4-the container 1 consists of clear glass and the yellow screen 8, consisting of the same materials mentioned above is applied to the inner surface of said container 1. The fluorescent coating 6 is applied to said screen 8. When the screen 8 consists of a yellow glass the fluorescent material is preferably applied thereto by using a binder, as disclosed above. When the screen 8 consists of a lacquer or an enamel the particles of fluorescent material are preferably applied thereto by being partially embedded therein. In other respects the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

While we have shown and described and have pointed out in the annexed claims certain novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its use and operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention, for example, thermionic electrodes are used in place of the cold electrodes disclosed above, when desired.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A gaseous electric discharge lamp device comprising a vitreous container, electrodes sealed therein, a gaseous atmosphere therein comprising mercury vapor, a coating of fluorescent material on said container, said coating being capable of emitting red-orange light under excitation by radiation from the discharge between said electrodes and a yellow screen integral with said container,

said coating being interposed between said discharge and said screen.

2. A gaseous electric discharge 'lamp device comprising a vitreous container, electrodes sealed therein, a gaseous atmosphere .therein comprising mercury vapor, a coating of fluorescent material on said container, said coating being capable of emitting red-orange light under excitation by radiation from the discharge between said electrodes, said container consisting of yellow glass, said coating being applied to the inner surface of said container.

3. A gaseous electric discharge lamp device comprising a vitreous container, electrodes sealed therein, a gaseous atmosphere therein comprising mercury vapor, a coating of fluorescent material on said container, said coating being capable of emitting red-orange light under excitation by radiation from the discharge between said electrodes, said container consisting of clear glass and a yellow screen applied to the outer surface thereof, said fluorescent coating being applied to the inner surface of said container.

4. A gaseous electric discharge lamp device comprising a vitreous container, electrodes sealed therein, a gaseous atmosphere therein comprising mercury vapor, a coating of fluorescent material on said container, said coating being capable of emitting red-orange light under excitation by radiation from the discharge between said electrodes, and a yellow screen on the inner surface of said container, said fluorescent coating being applied to said yellow screen.

OTI'O FRITZE.

ALFRED RUTTENAUER. 

